The question of how to lace up hiking boots properly doesn’t have a single solution. In fact, in most cases, the way your hiking boot is laced out of the box after purchase will not be the best lacing technique for you. Knowing how to lace up hiking boots for your unique foot dimensions could just be […]
In the previous two installments of our “Hiking Essentials” series, we discussed what to bring with you on a day hike, along with tips for staying safe on the trail. In this third installment, we’re going to talk about what to wear on a hike. Below, I discuss what to wear when hiking, along with some tips based on […]
Careless hikers are more likely to tumble off a cliff, poke a diamondback rattler, and otherwise get themselves in trouble’s way. And frankly, our nation needs more outdoorsy people, not less. So Backpacker asked me, the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backpacking and Hiking, to answer all of your camping, hiking, cooking, training, you-name-it […]
Fact: Hiking boots smell. A lot. Unfortunately, smelly hiking boots are often a fact of life when you spend lots of time out on the trail. The good news, however, is that your boots don’t have to be super stinky. Getting the smell out of hiking boots requires scrubbing the inside of your boots with […]
There is not a person alive that has been into the backcountry and not made one of these mistakes. It doesn’t matter how many times we shoulder that pack and go wild, there is always something we could have done better. There is always something we wished we had and did not have, or something that we […]
Are you planning a hike that will require a considerable amount of descending in mountainous terrain or a gorge? Extended descents can put significant pressure on the knees and cause swollen toenails. Here are a few steps you can take pre-hike to minimize painful toenails, black toenails, and eventual toenail loss. We’ve already covered protecting your […]
Fact: Hiking boots smell. A lot. Unfortunately, smelly hiking boots are often a fact of life when you spend lots of time out on the trail. The good news, however, is that your boots don’t have to be super stinky. Getting the smell out of hiking boots requires scrubbing the inside of your boots with […]
Don’t poison your gear. In the field: Be careful with DEET-based bug repellent, which melts plastics, including membranes, and can damage synthetics and other fabrics. At home: Avoid fabric softener. It coats fibers with waxy chemicals, which clog membranes and damage moisture-wicking properties. Treat yourself. Your shell’s DWR (durable water repellent) treatment will deteriorate over time. […]
Unboxing a brand new pair of boots is thrilling. Imagine all the adventures you’ll have together! It’s tempting to throw them on and hit the trail right away, but don’t. Hiking in fresh kicks before they’re broken in can lead to blisters, hotspots, and an overall bad time. Here’s how to get your shoes ready for […]
1.) Mount Rainier National Park, Washington One of the best hikes in the USA has to be the Burroughs Mountain Trail in Mount Rainer National Park. Around a nine miles roundtrip, this is a fairly strenuous hiking trail that can be pretty tough on the legs. Thankfully, you’re rewarded with some of the best views […]